A machete-wielding man who called himself ‘Lucifer’ was shot and killed after he attacked three people at New York City’s Grand Central Station on Saturday.

Anthony Griffin, 44, reportedly entered the subway system in Queens in the morning and slashed an 84-year-old man on the head on the 7 train subway platform.

He also reportedly attacked another 65-year-old man, who was slashed around the head and face, and a 70-year-old woman was cut on her shoulder after Mr Griffin moved upstairs to other platforms. 

Two officers were immediately alerted.

Jessica Tisch, who heads the New York City Police Department, said at a news conference that Mr Griffin had ignored at least 20 orders to drop the weapon.

“He advanced towards the officers with the knife extended,” Ms Tisch said.

“The individual was armed with a large knife, described as a machete, and was behaving erratically, repeatedly stating that he was Lucifer.”

The police commissioner said one of the officers shot the assailant twice, and he was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital, as all victims were also taken to a medical facility.

She said the suspect had been arrested three times before, but had no history of an Emotionally Disturbed Person (EDP) report with the police department.

The incident caused train diversions at the rail hub.

“Innocent people were attacked in a senseless act of violence,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

In a social media post after the incident, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had been briefed on the incident and that the suspect was shot after he refused to drop the machete.

Mr Mamdani thanked the police for their “quick response” and said all victims were in stable condition at the hospital.